Officials in Sacramento County are probing a gun violence incident that erupted late Saturday at Howe Park while officers were dispersing an unauthorized event of hundreds of attendees.
How It Started
Law enforcement first arrived at the Arden-Arcade park at approximately 6:30 PM after being notified of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. After that, additional information came in about a potential altercation happening at Howe Park.
A law enforcement helicopter conducted an aerial sweep but could not confirm any ongoing Sacramento County Sheriff shooting investigation fight. Nevertheless, it was apparent that hundreds of people had congregated at Howe Park without official sanction.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Deputies began the process of clearing the park by positioning themselves around the crowd and using their vehicle PA systems instructing the assembled crowd to clear out. About 15 minutes were allowed for people to comply.
At the height of the dispersal effort that an estimated 20 to 25 shots echoed through the night. The rapid succession of shots triggered a stampede. Deputies immediately began locating gunshot victims.
Those Who Were Hit
When the dust settled, four shooting victims were discovered with shooting injuries. The shooting victims — comprising three men and one woman each apparently in their twenties — were taken to nearby hospitals. Medical teams reported that two were treated for serious injuries, one sustained moderate wounds, and one suffered minor injuries. In a positive development, all four were in stable condition.
Metro Fire Sacramento arrived on scene and provided medical assistance shooting victims at the park.
What Investigators Found
The center of the incident was determined to have unfolded on the Cottage Way corridor near the local Home Depot located at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. Detectives recovered more spent casings on Cottage Way. Bullet holes were noted in the iron fence bordering the Home Depot store. This evidence indicated that at least one of the shooters had been firing southward from the Cottage Way area in the direction of the Home Depot building and parking lot. The Home Depot was put under lockdown while the scene was active. CSI investigators and detectives worked tirelessly throughout the night.
Suspect Information
Information relayed over police scanner frequencies confirmed that a Kia had been detained in an area within Solano County. Four suspects were taken into custody. Deputies were en route to collect those detained to return them to Sacramento for investigation. Video that was reviewed confirmed that two shooters had been involved.